Roller for a skating device

ABSTRACT

A roller for a skating device comprising a first material having a minimum elastic modulus of 1 GPa, preferably at least 2 GPa, and more preferably at least 2.9 GPa and/or the maximum elastic modulus of the first material having 10 GPa, preferably at most 5 GPa, and more preferably at most 3.1 GPa.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT/EP2018/052964, filed Feb. 6,2018, claiming priority to EP 17155055.1, filed Feb. 7, 2017, the entirecontents of each which are hereby fully incorporated herein by referencefor all purposes.

FIELD

Ice skating has been known for centuries and known as a preferredleisure, sport, and fitness activity. Roller skating was created tosimulate ice-skating on a solid ground. First models of rollers skateswere so called quad skates. They had four wheels placed in two lines.Quad skates were not as fast and maneuverable as ice skates, but stillbecame very popular among people in 60s and 70s. The new age of skatingbegan in the 90s when inline outdoor roller skates were introduced tothe general public. The inline skates are faster and more maneuverablethan the quad skates, but the experience is still not completely similarto ice skating. Inline skates have no opportunity to use the hockey stopand side slide breaking.

Several attempts were made to further improve inline skates.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,335 (B2) features an omni-directional wheel whichincludes a frame having an upper portion for affixing the frame to anunder-side of a weight bearing surface, at least two side walls, and acentral cavity defined by the side walls for receiving at least onespherical wheel, at least two wheel bearings connected in axialalignment to the side walls for rotation of the wheel about a fixedaxis, at least two wheel seats each having one side in axial connectionto the wheel bearings and an opposite conical face wherein the conicalfaces are disposed in opposite axial alignment for mounting the wheelbetween the faces and a force of static friction is exerted relative tothe conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about thefixed axis and a force of kinetic friction is exerted relative to theconical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about an axisperpendicular to the fixed axis, and an upper load bearing connected tothe frame which bias against an upper surface of the wheel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,138 (A) features an in-line roller skate includingan elongate base plate having a top side to which a boot is secured, andan underside that mounts four wheel assemblies, the front wheel assemblyhaving a fixed orientation and the remaining assemblies each having acaster-like construction. Springs bias each of the caster-likeassemblies in a straight-ahead orientation, and first and secondnear-vertically extending fixed brake surfaces are spaced on oppositesides of the rearward most wheel such that the wheel frictionallyengages a brake surface whenever the wheel is substantially turned toone direction or the opposite direction.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,550 (A) features a shaft extending in the skatingdirections supported by stanchions depending from a boot plate.Spherical wheels formed by hemispherical segments are rotatably securedto the shaft in fixed axial position by a ring member having wing axlesextending transversely the shaft axis, the ring member being rotatableabout bearing members secured to the shaft. One of the bearing membershas a braking cam with a pair of oppositely positioned recesses whichmate with a corresponding braking detent mechanism mounted in each wingaxle. Each wheel segment is independently rotatably secured to a wingaxle for rotation in the skating directions. The wing axles rotate withthe wheels about the shaft in response to a stopping action transverseto the skating directions to provide a braking resistance in response tothe detent mechanism riding against the cam surface. Different springloads and springs are provided to allow for different skating stroke andstopping forces.

US application 2006/0214394 (A1) features the multi-directional skateswith each skate being an assembly having a skate boot, at least fourroller assemblies, and a skid plate. The skate boot is a traditionalin-line/aggressive skate-type boot including an upper shoe portion and asole portion. The roller assemblies each include a substantiallyspherical roller or ball that act as rolling surfaces for skate,allowing it to create movement in any direction, not just forward andbackward, but also sideways and complete 360-degree movement. The numberand alignment of the roller assemblies may be modified according to thedesires of the individual skater, but they are intended to be alignedsuch that each skate is capable of balancing itself it an uprightposition.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,308 (B1) features a roller skate which includes aframe, a structure for fixing the frame to a person's foot, and at leasttwo balls, which are freely rotatably supported by concave rollers. Axesof rotation of the rollers extend in a horizontal direction,transversely to the longitudinal direction of the frame. A roller islocated between the two balls which are arranged side by side. Theroller bears against both balls during operation. This document ishereby incorporated by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,263 (A) features skates employing balls as theprimary rolling elements which may be used in lieu of roller skates forstreet hockey or indoors on wood floors, concrete or other hardsurfaces. In the preferred form the skate includes two balls, preferablyof semi-hardened rubber, metal, wood, plastic or the like, one in thefront and one at the rear of the skate. Each ball is supported by a setof rolling supports which allow the ball to rotate freely in a forwardor backward direction but inhibits rotation of the ball in otherdirections. The supports include at least two transverse shafts on whichare mounted spaced rollers or rings of different diameters and contouredto mate with the upper portion of the ball. The different size rollersare independently rotatable on the shaft to compensate for the differentsurface speeds of the ball as it rolls forwards or backwards. Since therollers can rotate only about the transverse axis of the shaft, thefriction produced between the ball and the supports in a direction otherthan forwards and backwards inhibits sidewise movement of the skate. Apusher block is provided at the forward end of the skate allowing thewearer to push himself forwardly either by tipping the block against theskating surface or by a sidewise pushing motion much like an ice skate.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,011 (A) features a braking device for in-line skatesincluding a resiliently biased, pivotally mounted load bearing wheel.The resilient element prevents contact between the wheel and a skatemounted braking surface during normal skating movements. The brakingdevice is activated by exerting sufficient downward force on the loadbearing wheel to overcome the resilient bias and thereby makingfrictional contact between the load bearing wheel and the brakingsurface.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,344 (B1) features a multidirectional roller skatedevice and an associated method of using the device. The device includesa foot platform having a plurality of rolling units attached to thebottom of the foot platform. The foot platform may be either a boot foruse as a roller skate or a board for use as a skate board. Each rollingunit includes a wheel, an axle, a fork, and a steering housing. The forkhas a top ring; two opposing arms attached to the top ring of the fork;a first flange attached to the top ring of the fork; and a second flangeattached to the top ring of the fork The steering housing has: a topplate attached to the foot platform and pivotally attached to the fork;an anchor shaft attached to the top plate; a first coil spring having afirst and a second end, the first end of the first coil spring isattached to the first flange of the fork, the second end of the firstcoil is attached to the anchor shaft of the steering housing; a secondcoil spring having a first and second end, the first end of the secondcoil spring is attached to the second flange of the fork, the second endof the second coil is attached to the anchor shaft of the steeringhousing; and a rectangular bearing set attached to the steering housingand attached to the fork. The method of using the device includes thesteps of balancing, bending, contacting, lifting, obtaining, placing,pushing, repeating, and standing.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,762 (A) features a multidirectional in-line rollerskate comprising a boot to receive a foot of a skater. The boot has asole. A frame is provided. A facility is for securing the frame to abottom surface of the sole of the boot. A plurality of spherical wheelassemblies is also provided. A subassembly is for mounting eachspherical wheel assembly in a removable manner to a bottom surface ofthe frame centrally along a common place, so that each spherical wheelassembly can rotate horizontally along a riding surface. An assemblageis for revolving each spherical wheel assembly vertically three hundredand sixty degrees in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction upon theriding surface, to allow the skater to perform tight figure skatingmaneuvers on the riding surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,565 (B1) features a skate assembly that allows askater forward/backward motion as well as side-to-side motion. Variousaspects of the skate assembly can be adjusted to fit the size and weightof the skater, the skill level of the skater, the skating or playingstyle of the skater, and the various surfaces to which it might comeinto contact. In one configuration the skate assembly is comprised of aplurality of linearly aligned roller assemblies. The skate assemblyincludes at least one friction plate mounted on the inside edge of theskate frame that provides a push-off area used by the skater to initiatemotion, accelerate, or stop. In another configuration the skate assemblyis comprised of at least one roller assembly interposed between a pairof conventional wheels. The pair of conventional wheels providesstability when the skater is moving in either a forward or backwarddirection since these two wheels are confined to rotation in a singleplane. When the skater wishes to move laterally he or she tilts theskates, for example by inwardly angling both knees, causing theconventional wheels to be raised from the rolling surface and placingall of the skater's weight on the omni-directional, i.e., substantiallyspherical, rollers. At this point lateral skate motion is as easy aslinear skate motion. The roller within each of the roller assemblies canbe mounted between two sets of bearings mounted on either side of theroller; between an upper bearing set and a set of bearings thatsurrounds the roller; or within a roller cavity that has been coatedwith a low friction coating.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a new and/or alternate device and/ormethod to allow a user rolling over a substantially even surface. Thepresent invention particularly provides a roller to house a ball withadvantageous properties. The angle of the surface in relation to theaxis of the roller can provide a more comfortable travel for a userwhile at the same time limiting noise during use and can also reducefriction. At the same time a suitable hardness can limit abrasion andprolong lifetime.

The roller according to the present invention is directed to find use ina skating device.

A roller can comprise a first material having a minimum elastic modulusof 1 GPa, preferably at least 2 GPa, and more preferably at least 2.9GPa. Further the maximum elastic modulus of the first material can have10 GPa, preferably at most 5 GPa, and more preferably at most 3.1 GPa.

The roller can comprise an outer section and/or a layer being formed ofthe first material and a core having a second material.

The roller can be circumferenced by a surface comprising a substantiallyconcave shape. However, the shape can vary and comprise an hourglassform.

Further, the roller can be circumferenced by a surface comprising twotruncated right circular cones connected together on their smallerdiameter faces with or without a spacer bar. This spacer bar can beprovided between the two smaller diameter faces by a conical shapedand/or a polygonal or similar shaped spacer bar.

These two truncated right circular cones can also be separated and evenbe separately suspended separately on the same axle or on two separateaxles.

The roller can comprise an angle α between the axis of the roller andthe surface of the roller of at least α=10°, preferably at least α=12°,more preferably at least α=14°. Further the angle α can comprise at themost α=25°, preferably at the most α=20°, more preferably at the mostα=17°.

The surface of the roller can further comprise a second and furtherangles β, γ, to prevent the ball escape from the roller in case of harshbreaking or transverse maneuver by the user, from the intended positionin relation to the roller.

The roller can comprise a minimum Poisson's ratio of 0.30, preferably atleast 0.35, and more preferably at least 0.39. Further, the maximumPoisson's ratio of the roller can be 0.50, preferably at most 0.45, andmore preferably at most 0.41.

Each singular roller can have a minimum weight of 5 g, preferably atleast 10 g, more preferably at least 20 g, more preferably at least 30g, more preferably at least 35 g, more preferably at least 40 g, andeven more preferably at least 49 g. Further the maximum weight of theroller can be 100 g, preferably at most 90 g, more preferably at most 80g, more preferably at most 70 g, more preferably at most 60 g, and evenmore preferably at most 51 g.

The minimum outer diameter of the roller can be 1 cm, preferably atleast 2 cm, and more preferably at least 2.9 cm. A maximum outerdiameter of the roller can be 5 cm, preferably at most 4 cm, and morepreferably at most 3.1 cm.

The roller can comprise one section having an at least mostly concaveshape and/or is adapted to provide contact with the ball at least at onepoint and/or one contacting surface, preferably at least at two pointsand/or two contacting surfaces, more preferably at least at oneelliptical surface and/or two elliptical surfaces.

The roller can rotate by means of an axle, which can be arranged to passcentrally through the roller. Further the roller can be connected to theaxle by means of at least one bearing or a sliding surface and adaptedto allows the roller to transfer an angular momentum from the ball tothe bearings.

The surface of the roller can further comprise a pattern, used to adjustthe coefficient of kinetic friction, durability, color, and/or cancomprise a design and/or a text.

A skating device can comprise at least two rollers according to theabove and the following descriptions. Preferably, at least threerollers, and more preferably at least four rollers can be provided, mostpreferably one roller more than the number of balls implied.

The skating device can comprise at least two rollers and can furthercomprise a chassis and a support for fixing a boot.

A method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device is disclosedparticularly according to the above and following descriptions, allowinga minimum elastic modulus of the roller to be 1 GPa, preferably at least2 GPa, and more preferably at least 2.9 GPa. Further the maximum elasticmodulus of the roller can be 10 GPa, preferably a most 5 GPa, and morepreferably at most 3.1 GPa.

The method for manufacturing a roller which can comprise a core and anouter layer is disclosed.

Further, a method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device isdescribed, allowing the minimum Poisson's ratio can have a value of0.30, preferably at least 0.35, and more preferably at least 0.39. Themaximum Poisson's ratio of the roller can be at most 0.50, preferably atmost 0.45, and more preferably at most 0.41.

The method for manufacturing a roller is disclosed allowing the minimumweight of the roller to be 5 g, preferably at least 10 g, morepreferably at least 20 g, more preferably at least 30 g, more preferablyat least 35 g, more preferably at least 40 g, and even more preferablyat least 49 g. Further the maximum weight of the roller can be 100 g,preferably at most 90 g, more preferably at most 80 g, more preferablyat most 70 g, more preferably at most 60 g, and even more preferably atmost 51 g.

The method for manufacturing a roller, allowing the minimum outerdiameter to be 1 cm, preferably at least 2 cm, and more preferably atleast 2.9 cm. A maximum outer diameter of the roller to be 5 cm,preferably at most 4 cm, and more preferably at most 3.1 cm may beprovided.

The method for manufacturing a roller is described allowing the rollerto comprise at least one section which can be at least mostly concaveand/or can be adapted to provide contact with the ball at least at onepoint or contacting surface, preferably at least at two points orcontacting surfaces, or at least at one elliptical surface.

The method for manufacturing a roller can allow the roller to rotate bymeans of a rotational axis, which can be arranged to pass centrallythrough the roller, can be connected to the roller by means of at leastone bearing or a sliding surface and adapted to allows the roller totransfer an angular momentum from the ball to a chassis.

The method for manufacturing a roller (20) for a skating device (1)according to any of the claims 15 to 21, allowing the roller (20) tofurther comprise to comprise a pattern on the surface of the roller(20), used to adjust the coefficient of kinetic friction, durability,color, and/or to comprise a design and/or a text.

The method for manufacturing a skating device that can comprise at leasttwo rollers, preferably at least three rollers, and more preferably atleast four rollers, most preferably one roller more than the number ofballs implied.

The method for manufacturing the skating device can allow the skatingdevice to further comprise the chassis and a support for fixing a boot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will bedescribed, referring to the figures. These examples are provided to givefurther understanding of the invention, without limiting the scope.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cut view of a roller according to one of theembodiments hereof;

FIGS. 2a-2b depict aspects of a roller according to exemplaryembodiments hereof; and

FIG. 3 shows the skating device as a whole comprising at least one balland a chassis.

DESCRIPTION

In the following description, a series of elements is described. Theskilled person will appreciate that unless specified by the context, thenumber or the position of elements is not critical for the resultingconfiguration and its effect.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cut view of a roller 20 comprising an axle 25,a ball bearing 30 and a surface 22 according to one of the embodimentsof the invention. The skating device 1 (FIG. 3) can be adapted toprovide a skater an experience to some extent comparable to the one ofice-skating and/or roller skating. To achieve this kind of experience,the device is adapted to allow balls 15 to rotate in all directionswhere friction depends on the direction of rotation of the ball, wherethe minimal friction can be in the forward/backward direction of askating device 1, and the maximal friction is in the directionperpendicular to the forward/backward one. The rollers 20 keep the balls15 (FIG. 3) at their position within the skating device 1. Theindividual ball 15 (FIG. 3) can have contact to the roller 20 comprisinga substantially concave shape, at least at one point, preferably at twopoints. In this embodiment the roller 20 is resting on an axle inabutment with a ball bearing. However, it should be understood, that anyother bearing is admissible. For instance, a fixed axle can be providedand the revolving motion of the rollers is conferred via bearings 30 atthe support between the axle 25 and the chassis 5.

A section and/or layer 27 comprising the first material can be seenattached over a core of a second material to on the one hand enablevarious properties and on the other hand ensure friction amounting aslittle as possible between the roller 20 and the ball 15 (FIG. 3).

FIG. 2a The roller 20 in this embodiment comprises an hourglass shapewith one truncated right circular cone 23 inversely interposed, with asecond truncated right circular cone 23 at their smaller diameters. Atthe location of the junction of the two cones a spacer can be fitted,the spacer can have cylindrical and/or a polygonal or similar shape. Theouter diameter D to the inner diameter d are dimensioned so that apreferred angle α can be achieved. The angle α is the angle between theaxle 25 and the surface 22.

The surface 22 can be attached to the core 23. This assembly 23 and 22can be rotationally attached to the axle 25. In this embodiment the core23 is secured to at least one ball bearing 30 to realize little frictionwhile the roller 20 is rotating.

FIG. 2b focuses on the angle(s) of the surface 22 of the roller 20.Angle α represents the angle between the axis 25 (FIG. 2a ) of theroller 20 and the surface 22 of the roller 20. This angle can be assumedto allow the ball 15 to be guided by the rollers 20 suffering from aslittle as possible friction to enable ease of use of the skating device1.

Angle β can be provided to prevent, in case of harsh breaking ortransverse maneuver by the user, the ball 15 to escape from the intendedposition of the roller 20.

FIG. 3 shows the skating device 1 as a whole comprising at least oneball 15 and a chassis 5.

EMBODIMENTS

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, such illustration and descriptionare to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non-restrictive; thedisclosure is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variationsto the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by thoseskilled in the art and practicing the claimed disclosure, from a studyof the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are tobe construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unlessthe context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually differentdependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measurescannot be used to fulfill aspects of the present invention. The presenttechnology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features,numerical values or ranges etc., if in here a relative term, such as“about”, “substantially”, “ca.”, “generally”, “at least”, “at the most”or “approximately” is used in this specification, such a term shouldalso be construed to also include the exact term. That is, e.g.,“substantially straight” should be construed to also include “(exactly)straight”. In other words, “about 3” shall also comprise “3” or“substantially perpendicular” shall also comprise “perpendicular”. Anyreference numerals in the claims should not be considered as limitingthe scope.

In the claims, the terms “comprises/comprising”, “including”, “having”,and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning“including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude othercomponents. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality ofmeans, elements or method steps may be implemented. Additionally,although individual features may be included in different claims, thesemay possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in differentclaims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasibleand/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude aplurality.

Whenever steps were recited in the above or also in the appended claims,it should be noted that the order in which the steps are recited in thistext may be the preferred order, but it may not be mandatory to carryout the steps in the recited order. That is, unless otherwise specifiedor unless clear to the skilled person, the order in which steps arerecited may not be mandatory. That is, when the present document states,e.g., that a method comprises steps (A) and (B), this does notnecessarily mean that step (A) precedes step (B), but it is alsopossible that step (A) is performed (at least partly) simultaneouslywith step (B) or that step (B) precedes step (A). Furthermore, when astep (X) is said to precede another step (Z), this does not imply thatthere is no step between steps (X) and (Z). That is, step (X) precedingstep (Z) encompasses the situation that step (X) is performed directlybefore step (Z), but also the situation that (X) is performed before oneor more steps (Y1), . . . , followed by step (Z). Correspondingconsiderations apply when terms like “after” or “before” are used.

It will be appreciated that variations to the foregoing embodiments ofthe invention can be made while still falling within the scope of theinvention can be made while still falling within scope of the invention.Features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise, can bereplaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similarpurpose. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosedrepresents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similarfeatures.

Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “forexample” and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate theinvention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of theinvention unless so claimed. Any steps described in the specificationmay be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise.

All of the features and/or steps disclosed in the specification can becombined in any combination, except for combinations where at least someof the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. In particular,preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of theinvention and may be used in any combination.

1-24. (canceled)
 25. A roller for a skating device comprising an outersection being formed of a first material, wherein the first materialcomprises an elastic modulus in a range of E=1 GPa to E=10 GPa.
 26. Theroller for a skating device according to claim 25, wherein the firstmaterial comprises the elastic modulus in a range E=2 GPa to E=5 GPa.27. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, wherein thefirst material comprises the elastic modulus in a range E=2.9 GPa toE=3.1 GPa.
 28. The roller for a skating device according to claim 25,comprising a layer being formed of the first material and a core havinga second material.
 29. The roller for a skating device according toclaim 25 wherein a circumferential surface of the roller comprising asubstantially concave shape, a cylindrical form, or an hourglass form.30. The roller for a skating device according to claim 29, thecircumferential surface of the roller comprising two truncated rightcircular cones connected together on the smaller diameter faces.
 31. Theroller for a skating device according to claim 25, comprising an angle αbetween an axis of the roller and the surface of the roller wherein a isin a range of α=10 degrees to α=25 degrees.
 32. The roller for a skatingdevice according to claim 31, comprising a second angle β furtherbending the surface of the roller.
 33. The roller for a skating deviceaccording to claim 25, wherein a Poisson's ratio of the roller is in arange of μ=0.30 to μ=0.45.
 34. The roller for a skating device accordingto claim 25, wherein a weight of the roller is in a range of 20 g to 100g.
 35. The roller for a skating device according to claim 34, whereinthe weight of the roller is in a range of 47 g to 53 g.
 36. The rollerfor a skating device according to claim 25, wherein an outer diameter(D) of the roller is in a range of 2 cm to 4 cm.
 37. The roller for askating device according to claim 25, further comprising a sectionhaving a concave shape and is adapted to provide contact with a ball atone point, at one contacting surface or at an elliptical surface. 38.The roller for a skating device according to claim 25 wherein, theroller is adapted to rotate using an axle, which is arranged to passcentrally through the roller, further the axle is configured to beconnected to the roller using a bearing or a sliding surface and allowthe roller to transfer an angular momentum from a ball to a chassis. 39.The roller for a skating device according to claim 25, furthercomprising a pattern on the surface of the roller, said patternconfigured to adjust a coefficient of kinetic friction, durability andcolor.
 40. A skating device comprising two or more rollers according toclaim 25, and further comprising a chassis and a support for fixing to aboot.
 41. A method for manufacturing a roller for a skating deviceparticularly according to claim 25, allowing a minimum weight of theroller to be 30 g, and a maximum weight to be 60 g.
 42. The method formanufacturing a roller for a skating device according to claim 41,allowing the roller to comprise a section which concave and is adaptedto provide contact with a ball at one point or contacting surface, or anelliptical surface.
 43. The method for manufacturing a roller for askating device according to claim 41, allowing the roller to rotateusing a rotational axis, wherein, the rotational axis is arranged topass centrally through the roller, and is configured to be connected tothe roller by using a bearing or a sliding surface and adapted to allowthe roller to transfer an angular momentum from a ball to a chassis. 44.The method for manufacturing a roller for a skating device according toclaim 41, allowing the roller to further comprise to comprise a patternon the surface of the roller, used to adjust a coefficient of kineticfriction, durability, color, and/or to comprise a design and/or a text.